Titan Staff News
Week of October 31
Titans,
Today I had the privilege to spend some time walking classrooms and talking with Kevin Hodges, a top executive from Google. (Yes, THE Google) He was here with several Central Administrative and Technology Department leaders walking our classrooms. It took no time for him to be incredibly impressed with the way we are integrating technology into our instruction. He was complimentary of each classroom he visited and even remarked that we are doing some things he hasn't seen before. He's interested in returning to Tidwell to share Google Expeditions later in November. (more details to come!)
In our conversations regarding instruction and student tasks, he stated that when Google is looking for employees, the number 1 skill they look for is collaboration. Can this potential employee collaborate with others? I applaud each of you for supporting our students as they learn to collaborate both physically in classrooms and virtually using various apps and Google drive. I posted some images of the Google learning spaces below. While ours aren't as flashy, he was very impressed with our spaces and the flexible learning options in our classrooms. We are truly on the path to helping our students be future ready!
Enjoy your weekend,
Kim
If you're interested in following Mr. Hodges, you can find him on Twitter at @kdhodges18
This Week at Tidwell:
Monday, October 31
Pink Out, 7th Grade Pep Rally
Tennis vs. Highland
Tuesday, November 1
Pink Out, 8th Grade Pep Rally
Fball vs Wilson (7th Eaton HS/8th NISD Stadium)
Wednesday, November 2
Pink Out, 6th Grade Pep Rally
Thursday, November 3
Barker Out
NISD College and Career Fair 6:00pm (BNHS)
Titan Theater Musical 6:00pm (Café)
Friday, November 4
Faculty Meeting 8:00 (Library, food at 7:45)
7th AVID Field trip to UNT
STEM/ABS Presentation (see email)
Titan Theater Musical 6:00pm (Café)
Important Information
- If you haven't completed your first SBBB, you need to by November 4th. Remember you have 4 to complete for the year, so now is a good time to have your first board up. Be sure to let your TTESS appraiser know when it's up.
- Thank you to NHJS, Counselors and Wood for their work on the Spooky Hump Day cart! Our Google visitor said it was a "very Google style thing to do." #winning
- Speaking of Google....thanks to our Teacher Panel: Horn, Neiswender, Jennings and Ouellette and to our Classrooms: Wilsie, Horn, Ouellette, Tucker and Duesterheft. Thank you!!
- As you email your parents, be sure to include a little praise to them for helping keep our attendance rate at 98%. We have consistently been at 98% and above - which is awesome! If we hit a 99% week, something BIG is going to happen!
- Also, read, reread and reread again the email from Graham regarding daily attendance procedures. Attendance is an integral part of our Accountability system as well as how our district receives funding.
- A big SHOUT OUT to our staff members participating in the ELA and Math Coaching cycles that our NISD Instructional Coaches are leading. Thank you for your open mindset of continuous improvement!
- Thinking of getting a team together to visit Google HQ in Austin. Yep, you read that right. Let me know if you are interested. We are in the initial planning stages.
- And Google has grants!! I'll share as soon as I know more.
- All SSI teachers will have a 1/2 day planning time/plc on Nov 8th. Stay tuned for additional information via email.